Chair of the NATO Military Committee visits Latvia and Lithuania

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Between 11-14th November, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, visited Latvia and Lithuania, upon the invitations of the Chief of Defence of Latvia, Major General Kaspars Pudāns, and the Chief of Defence of Lithuania, General Raimundas Vaiksnoras.

During his engagements with the Latvian Chief of Defence and the Minister of Defence, MrAndrijs Spruds, discussions focused on the current security situation in the Baltic region. Among other priorities, Admiral Cavo Dragone underscored NATO’s steadfast commitment to Latvia’s security and defence, highlighting the NATO Multinational Brigade hosted at Adazi Military Base as an embodiment of Allied interoperability and collective defence. The CMC also praised Latvia’s valued contributions within the Alliance, highlighting the country’s significant steps in strengthening defence capabilities and innovation. The CMC took the opportunity to thank Latvia once again for its excellent hosting the recent Meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defence in Riga, 16-17 September.

While in Riga, the CMC participated in a wreath-laying ceremony for Lāčplēsis Day on 11th November, commemorating the memory of Latvia’s fallen soldiers. In addition, he visited the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, and engaged with private industry.

Following, CMC visited Lithuania, and engaged closely with the Chief of Defence, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, and senior Lithuanian military leadership. The CMC also met H.E. Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, and with the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Robertas Kaunas.

In these high-level discussions, the CMC emphasised Lithuania’s strong leadership for Allies in defence investments, and for its significant contributions to the Alliance’s shared security. Among other priorities, Admiral Cavo Dragone emphasised that Lithuania’s hosting of a German-led NATO Forward Land Force significantly strengthens Allied deterrence and defence on the Eastern flank of the Alliance, and underscored Lithuania’s initiative in investing in defence production. While in Vilnius, the Chairman took the opportunity to engage with representatives of the Committee on National Security and Defence at the Parliament of Lithuania, and to meet with the Commander of the German 45^th Armoured Brigade, permanently stationed in Lithuania.

In both Latvia and Lithuania, the CMC emphasised Allied solidarity, as demonstrated through Eastern Sentry, Baltic Sentry, and Baltic Air Policing. Furthermore, Admiral Cavo Dragone highlighted the continuous and steadfast commitment of both nations to supporting Ukraine militarily, politically and financially.